Luol Deng is a good dude
We knew that already, but this press release we just got is further confirmation…If any Slamonline readers are in DC go check out the event.
Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng to receive UNHCR Humanitarian Award
WASHINGTON, June 16 (UNHCR) – Chicago Bull’s forward, Luol Deng, has been selected as the 2008 recipient of the UN Refugee Agency’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. The award is in recognition of Deng’s support of UNHCR’s ninemillion.org campaign to bring education and sports to millions of displaced children. Deng, himself a former refugee from south Sudan, will receive the award at the agency’s annual World Refugee Day commemoration to be held in Washington on June 20th.
Earlier this year, Deng, pledged to donate US$50 to ninemillion.org for every basket he scored and in a public service announcement he recorded in support of the campaign he urged his fans to support his efforts to improve the lives of young refugees.
“I am honored to receive the UNHCR’s ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ Award,” said Luol Deng. “Giving back is important to me. The ninemillion.org campaign is a cause that is very close to my heart, and I am committed to helping refugees make a new life for themselves.”
The eighth annual World Refugee Day event will be held at noon on Friday June 20th at the National Geographic Museum. Under this year’s theme, “Refugee Rights are Human Rights”, the event will also feature Daoud Hari, author of the acclaimed memoir The Translator, which chronicles his life as a refugee from Darfur and his work with international journalists to increase awareness of the crisis. National Public Radio correspondent Deborah Amos will address the Iraqi refugee emergency. Author Farah Ahmedi will speak of her experiences as an Afghan refugee, while a Thimothy Ju, who was featured in the MTV show True Life: I’m Coming to America, will tell of his life growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand before recently being resettled to the United States.
The speaking event will be followed by a screening of the Academy Award nominated documentary War/Dance and a question and answer session with the film makers.
Venue: National Geographic Museum, Grosvenor Auditorium, 17th and M St., NW, Washington, DC.
Time: noon-1pm: speakers’ event. 1pm-2:30pm film screening
Free and open to the public
20 Responses to “Luol Deng is a good dude”
Jun.16 at 12:11 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
Loul is cool.
Jun.16 at 12:13 pm
Mo Charlo says:
Luol is my friend.
Jun.16 at 12:13 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
LOVE hearing this kind of stuff. Props to Luol.
Jun.16 at 12:14 pm
ciolkstar says:
This guy is whats good about the L, and pro sports in general. Raising awareness about a really important cause as well as contributing financially. Nice work Lu.
Jun.16 at 12:14 pm
B. Long says:
Props to Luol, too bad he doesn’t play ball as well as he humanitirizes. He would be awesome!
Jun.16 at 12:28 pm
Lz - Cphfinest3 says:
*Luol
Jun.16 at 5:50 pm
what says:
Big up to Luol, very BOLD of him (hint hint)
Jun.16 at 6:43 pm
rand33p says:
Deng > Mandela
Jun.16 at 7:32 pm
tenorca says:
Deng fell off last year, but he seems like good folks and a good player. Anyway, like the Yao story a week or so ago: it’s nice seeing the “NBA Cares” for real. I’m always suspicious of those spots.
Jun.16 at 7:42 pm
Noahlover says:
Congrats Lool..hope we hve a good upcoming season with our new coach we have now hired! he’ll get our guys in order to have a great season! GO BULLS!
Jun.16 at 7:43 pm
Noahlover says:
oops Congrats Loul! sorry dang typo
Jun.16 at 8:45 pm
SteveSmith8fan says:
Loul is a good dude! He is the real version of NBA Cares. Instead of those contrived PR spots by the NBA where they send the 11th and 12th man out for those “look at us the NBA is not a thug league promo spots”.
Jun.16 at 10:31 pm
Dacre says:
Hey this font is lovely. Just like Luol.
Jun.17 at 4:02 am
Hursty says:
good for him. Players in the public spotlight really should do more to highlight and act on injustices and the bad things occuring in the world because they can help more than ‘an average person’. they can reach out and make a positive impact.
Jun.17 at 4:04 am
Hursty says:
Im not saying that others cant, its just that people in the public eye are witnessed by more than others.
Jun.17 at 4:09 am
mat smith says:
go team GB, woohoo, and ben gordon has joined now too, im stoked….
Jun.17 at 6:15 am
Harlem_World says:
This is how to walk like a true pro. Instead of all the bullsh*t in the clubs and who has the biggest house, ice, cars etc - do something meaningful with your celebrity and money. Major respect to Luol Deng for this - and lets hope it sends a message to other athletes and celebrities in the spotlight to use their profile for something more than just themselves. For those that know, your job is to teach. For those who don’t know, your job is to learn.
Jun.17 at 11:03 am
rikson says:
Didnt know americans care about others ?!?!?!?
Jun.20 at 1:24 pm
Luol Deng the Humanitarian « Feet in the Paint says:
[…] I can’t think of anything better than Humanitarian following a name. Big props to Lu for being selected as the UN Refugee Agency’s 2008 Humanitarian of the Year Award. […]
Jun.28 at 3:01 pm
Daniel says:
Luol Deng is a great young man with an even greater future ahead of him, I have been fortunate enough to witness this young man preparing for next season and I can promise you all that there is a lot more to his game than what Skiles saw of him… This award couldn’t have gone to a better athlete in the L at this present moment, enough respect to you Luol… Stay strong and blessed always…